Pictures of my Beautiful Sun Porch

but first

THEY WON THEIR CHAMPOINSHIP GAME!!!!! We are all shocked and still kind of celebrating! The other team was undefeated and expected to win! We had played them several times over the season and lost to them each time...lost isn't even the word! They killed us and appeared to be the better team...but as it is we won! The boys worked hard, played hard and in the end it paid off! Good job guys!

Ok, here are the pictures!

The picture of the outdoor bar didn't take well, I might have to add that later....it's wonderful and just a good space to live in! We're using it as living space, we eat out there, we play cards, sit and relax....we just use it and I love it! The colors make me want to squeal and I couldn't love it more! The accent is this beachy blue....it really tames the orange!

Championship game tonight

Lane Michael and Ethan are playing baseball this season and they've done well....they're by far the smallest, youngest and least experienced kids on the team! Cute! There are 5 teams in the league, and we are going to the Championships! Our opposition is undefeated and we've lost to them probably 3 times now but we have high hopes! Lane Michael scored a run on Tuesday in the tournament game and Ethan had an RBI! Woot Woot! Lane Michael enjoys 3rd base the most and Ethan is good in the out field, although has better attention as 2nd base (funny because Lou played 3rd and I played 2nd teehehe). Wish us luck!

And as a side note, we finished the painting in the sun porch and Todd got it all cleaned up and organized today! Fully functioning and Beautiful! I still have to paint the white trim but the primer is on, the floor needs something to happen but I haven't decided what yet and we're still looking at doors and options (water and dirt come in when it rains) But I love this room and want to start using it consistently! PS this is the color! I'll post pics later!

A Buffet of Auto Immune.

Last year Lane Michael was tested for Celiac, we left the biopsy with our doctor (who we loved and trusted) saying "I am 98% positive that he has Celiac, don't start the diet but be aware that we will call and confirm this in the next few days" A week or so later I was walking through WalMart over my lunch hour, when the hospital called back. Lane Michael has an infection that mirrors celiac disease, he does not have it at this time, be checked again in a year and take this medication for 2 weeks to clear up the infection. The blood work last year showed he had 11 markers for Celiac and anything over 5 was abnormal. So this year I was more prepared, I went with a list of the symptoms he has, a list of concerns and questions. He has constipation, and stomach cramps and he seems thinner. When we sat down with the doctor she said that his bowel doesn't seem to be emptying completely, he went from being in the 58th % to the 45th % and he should not have dropped that drastically in one year. She said the stomach cramps are concerning. and then she told me that he now has 26 markers in his blood work for celiac. This year I'm ok with this diagnosis. Last year I couldn't have handled it. This year I can. I am not facing a new baby in the house, and Todd's job change, this year I am at peace with this diagnosis. I have accepted it, and I'm ready for it. I'm sad for him, for my family, for the changes we'll face, the challenges ahead, Lane Micheal hates pizza, that's a plus but pancakes are his favorite. How will we eat at Bob Evans? How will he share birthday cake with his friends? We will figure it out. More than anything I just want to start living life with him...a normal life. I want so many things for this little person. The thing is I don't worry about him, I don't worry about whether he will be successful, I know he will be. I know that God has great plans for him and this is his path, the path he has to take in life to get there, to be the person he has planned him to be. This weekend a little boy came to the party and was introduced to all the boys at the party, they were all playing video games, they all waved over their shoulders, Lane stopped what he was doing, went to the little boy and said "Hi Alex, I'm Lane nice to meet you" because as much as he has going on, he's still able to care about other people. What a special boy! So I asked the doctor "is there something linking all of this together? something that could explain all of this?" She told me "yes, he is a buffet of auto immune diseases, his body is his own worst enemy and it's just attacking itself, he has an over active immune system" hm. man that sucks. And the kicker? Ethan needs checked. Celiac can cause small stature and hyperactivity, ADD and learning disabilities. Nice, so maybe we can explain some of his ADD stuff!

Bigger Fish to Fry

I was mis-diagnosed. My thyroid never had tumors, goiters, nodules. Never could have been cancerous. Was never "off". My TSH levels were normal when my thyroid was removed. hm. I'm sad, and violated. I'm fat forever because some doctor made a bad call without getting more info. He used scare tactics to convince me to have it removed. It was fine. It MIGHT have SOMEDAY caused a problem that MAY have resulted in medication. I wouldn't have this scar on my neck and I would have had YEARS of a better quality of life. I wouldn't have been as cranky, as tired, as fat. My children would have the mother I was and not the mother I am. Then my new doctor tells me that I'm too under treated, that I need more meds, that I'm losing muscle tone and hair from being so hypo. Ugh. I'm angry. I'm hurt. Confused. Sad. I need perspective.

Big Boys

The big boys have been very busy lately! We had the end of year program and have been playing baseball! LOVING IT! We also got sign up sheets for football this fall! YEAH!

My co-workers saw these pictures and were baffled at how different these little boys are! I take so much joy in their uniqueness! In there own qualities! I never have to look for something to appreciate, it's so obvious! Each a special person, each with flaws and strengths. Each the love of my life. Man I love them and I'm so proud of them!

Baby Idol

Pet and Baby

Water Baby

Messy Face

Eat Baby Eat

Diaper Baby

Park Baby

I have been on a message board (August 09 What to Expect) since I found out Ryan was due in August '09, all the women on the board are Mom's of babies born in August '09 (or were due but came early or late)...we have decided to have a little fun and play WTE Baby Idol, so there are different categories to enter with our babies...and then we all vote for the best picture for the category (Loads of fun but some people get hurt feelings over it -- this is my first time playing) so here are my pics I entered of Ryan...this last one my brother in law took at my neices graduation ceremony...it doesn't even look like my boy...my boy is much more mischeivous than this little angel! LOL
I love all of these pictures and it was a great way to pick favorites and put them all together to see them in one place! Yummy!

Busy Busy Busy

We have been so busy! My house is falling down around me and I swear I have 10 loads of laundry waiting for me with no end in sight! I have some serious catch up to do in our housework and in some general "tasks"! Seriously with everything going on, it's a wonder I'm able to fit my job into my schedule LOL. I had training in Cleveland area starting May 11th and I've never caught back up from then. We've had something going on every weekend since...a commitment ceremony, ball games, a trip to Tennessee, a graduation ceremony, a wedding, and in the next two weekends, we have 2 graduation parties and Todd has drill...not to mention a speech I have to give on Wednesday night and training on Friday, and TWO ball games every week until the middle of July! We've never been this busy...oh and did I mention Todd has final exams this week? Yeah. He's doing well so far, studying hard and I'm really proud of him. Luckily Todd is taking the summer off (he's switching schools, and the schedules won't allow him to start there because that school is already in session). The boys have big plans for the summer spending a lot of free time at the pool and playing baseball with their friends. It's SO much fun! Lane really likes 3rd base and for no more than they've played in the past, they're doing really well! Ethan doesn't have a place that he prefers yet, but is loving it!
Ryan is getting so big! He's starting to stand independently, eating more and more solid foods, crawls everywhere, and is just so funny! He makes a stinky face when he's excited and tries to bite peoples faces (LOL)...he's a bit of a bully but we're working on that, and he knows when he's been bad because he'll always give us the "Angel Eyes" and tries to love on whoever caught him (or whoever he bit). Funny funny funny!
Soon I'd like to get over this blogging slump I'm in but who knows LOL